Barcelona

By Caleb Galvin, Dexter Lupu, Ryan Coyle & Eddie Delaney .

After all the hard work in the year we were looking forward to a nice trip away to Barcelona and after weeks of excitement we finally were on route.  

Day 1

The first day of our Barcelona tour started as we all met up at the school at 4am to get a coach to Dublin Airport.

 We made it through Dublin Airport fine and assembled once we got through security, we got some food before we got on our flight at 07:15.  We landed in Barcelona at 10:50 local time. After we landed we got on a coach to the Venetian Towers in Plaza España and then at half past twelve.

 We stopped in to the famous shopping centre Centro Comercial Arenas De Barcelona. Afterwards we got onto a hop on/hop off bus and saw sights such as the La Sagrada Familia, an unfinished basilica and the famous street of Las Ramblas which we would end up visiting later in the week.  After chilling in the hotel for an hour, we had dinner. 

Later that night we went down to the beach 5 minutes away from where we were staying, and took a group photo at a playground on the beach. It was a lovely night and we  spent some time on the beach and in the playground, challenging Mr. O Hara to a pull up competition ! We walked back to our hotel and visited the shops nearby. 

When we came back we all got into our rooms and went to sleep to restore ourselves for the next day.

Day 2

On the 2nd day we woke up and got out for breakfast. There was everything you wanted for breakfast, eggs, pancakes, full Irish breakfast, fruits, yogurts, breads and croissants. We filled up on a big breakfast that would last us the day! 

Then a coach pulled up to take us up to Montserrat, where we went on a nice walk around and took lots of pictures. Montserrat  was very scenic, an ancient  Benedict monastic retreat set up into the mountain. We walked up to the basilica and saw all the sites. It was a bit of a trek but worth it for the view at the top!

 We then walked down a little bit to the cable cars, and made our way down. 

The cable cars took us down the mountain and the view was spectacular !  Some of the lads were nervous being this high up in a cable car and were happy when landed back down at the car park!

At the bottom , we had a bit of grub and just relaxed for around 30 minutes. We made our way towards the coach and made it to Camp Nou, home of the famous Barcelona football club  sadly the pitches and dressing rooms were closed for renovations!  Once we went on a nice tour around Camp Nou and the impressive interactive museum. We also got to do a virtual reality tour and visit the club shop.

 We made our way to Centro Commercial Parc Central. It was deadly, it was a giant shopping centre with lots to do. Most of the lads were buying yup bro hairbrushes for themselves in PENNYS and this is where they spotted the water guns, that all ended up getting taken off us by Mr. Munnelly ( I think Munnelly and O' Hara wanted the water guns to themselves!)

That night after a big dinner, we made our way on foot to the House of illusions, where the performance dives into various aspects, where life is filled with surprises and confusion. You'll be amazed as the artists leave you speechless with incredible magic and spectacular illusions. The show was amazing. The tricks we thought we were smart enough to figure out, managed to defy our expectations, ended with us left in awe and confusion.

 We had a surplus amount of drinks, including fanta and coke. We were also able to buy cotton candy, food, and signed merchandise by the magicians themselves and we could buy pictures of our table, taken by a cameraman. After the show, we made our way back to our accommodation, in which we had the opportunity to go to the shop and stock up on sweets and drinks.

Day 3

Following our breakfast, at roughly 9:30 AM, we went on a short walk to the beach near the House Of Illusions. We were expecting to have fun on the beach, playing football, volleyball etc, but the weather didn’t suit us!  Unfortunately there were rain showers. However we braved the rain and we walked along the Salou sea front, near the beach. We were able to take in fresh air. Take pictures  and have conversations with friends.

At roughly 11:30, we met up with our coach outside our hotel and began our journey to the CosmoCaixa science museum. At 12:30, we arrived. This hands-on museum lets you participate at every level. Walk through a replica of the Amazon Rainforest, check out the planetarium where you can explore the universe at various points in time, and don't forget to visit the amazing Room of Matter, which tries to explain everything from the Big Bang to Shakespeare and the Internet through a scientific lens. All of these attractions are interactive. It was an incredible experience for our year.

At roughly 3:15, we met back up with our coach and went to a famous road called Las Ramblas.

We can take a walk down La Rambla as a group. Almost every visitor to Barcelona walks along the 1.2 km-long road. This tree-lined pedestrian mall, which links the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell with Plaça de Catalunya in the centre, is well-liked by both locals and visitors.

Barcelona's oldest neighbourhood, the Gothic Quarter, is located directly next to La Rambla. The majority of the structures are from the 14th and 15th centuries. There are many twists and turns, including the Barcelona Cathedral, the Roman ruins, and the Tinel Hall staircase, where it is thought that Queen Isabella I of Castile hosted a formal reception in 1493 to welcome Columbus following his first visit to the American Continent.

That night after dinner we visited the nearby Bowling alley and arcade, Bowling River and Les Gavarres. We had a great night here bowling against each other and playing arcade games. Lads tried to outscore each other on the punch bag and out dance each on the dance floor simulator. The basketball rings were busy with basketballers doing their school coach, Mr. Keighrey, proud with big scores  and winning prizes. The pool tables were very busy with lads queuing up to play Mr. Munnelly for a fiver. Unfortunately, for our second years, none of us were successful against Sir and he left the table with all our fivers!! 

We had a great night out again and left the arcade at like 11.15 so when we went back to our hotel we were wrecked and went straight to sleep, ready for our big day tomorrow!

Day 4 

For most of us this was the highlight of our school trip …our visit to Port Aventura Theme Park in Salou! 

The morning weather was class and we arrived early, buzzing with excitement, and as soon as we entered, we ran straight for Shambhala – Europe’s tallest rollercoaster. Our stomach dropped on the first fall, but it was amazing! . It was absolutely insane. The drop felt never-ending, but I loved every second.

 Some of the lads had been screaming  so loudly we thought they’d lost their voices. We met our teachers after the Shambala and some of them looked pale… we thought they were going to get sick!!

 Then we braved Dragon Khan, which had so many loops that  all our heads were spinning after!

After that, we explored the different zones. Mexico had the coolest theme.  We went on  Tutuki Splash – we got soaked over and over again ! We also loved Silver River Flume and Grand Canyon Rapids – we all ended up drenched

One of our favourites was the spinning ride. Hurakan Condor was terrifying but awesome. It was also insane, it dropped us from 100 metres in the air. Some of us also dared to go on Furius Baco with our teachers! It  shoots you from 0 to 135 km/h in just a few seconds. It felt like we were flying! Our poor teachers didn’t know what to expect when they took the front seats…some of them had to lie down afterwards!

It was honestly one of the best days of our lives and we were so sad to have to leave it !

But we had to head to the airport straight away and back to Dublin and reality !

It was the best trip ever and thanks to our teachers, Mr. Munnelly, Ms. Bradshaw, Mr. O’ Hara, Ms. O Reilly & Mr. O Neill for organising it and looking after us so well.

Turas Gaeltachta chuig Ráth Chairn 

Dia duit,
Craig Rooney is ainm dom agus cúpla lá ó shin, chuaigh an rang Idirbhliain go dtí an Ghaeltacht, Ráth Chairn, i gContae na Mí. Turas iontach a bhí ann agus tá súil agam go mbainfidh tú taitneamh as léamh faoi.

Déardaoin

Ar an Déardaoin, bhuaileamar le chéile ag an scoil ar a deich a chlog ar maidin. Bhí gach duine ar bís faoin turas agus bhí siad ag caint faoi na rudaí a bheimis ag déanamh nuair a rachaimis go dtí an Ghaeltacht. Tar éis cúpla nóiméad, chuamar ar an mbus go dtí Ráth Chairn agus tar éis turais bheag, shroicheamar ann.

Fuaireamar ár málaí ón mbus agus chuamar isteach i gColáiste na bhFiann. Bhuaileamar le Joe agus Róisín, agus bhí siad ag caint ar stair na háite. D'fhoghlaimeamar faoi na daoine a tháinig ón gCósta Thiar go dtí Ráth Chairn agus faoi na troideanna a tharla idir na daoine ón bPail mar gheall air sin.

Tar éis sin, shiúlamar timpeall na háite ag féachaint ar áiteanna stairiúla agus ar an bpáirc peile Ghaelach. Ní raibh cead againn dul ar an bpáirc mar bhí comórtas mór le bheith ar siúl idir Gaeltachtaí eile i gceann coicíse. Ina dhiaidh sin, cheannaíomar cúpla rud sa siopa agus d’imríomar sa pháirc i Ráth Chairn. Tar éis sin, chuamar ar an mbus go dtí Feirm Causey.

Nuair a shroicheamar ann, thosaíomar ag déanamh aráin. Bhí sé an-spraoi — bhíomar ag gáire nuair a chaith duine an ubh bán agus rug duine eile air! Chuamar go dtí na tolláin ina dhiaidh sin — bhí siad an-scanrúil agus an-bheag. Bhí eagla ar a lán daltaí nuair a chuaigh siad isteach sna tolláin.

Ina dhiaidh sin, sheolamar cúpla bád timpeall loch beag agus thosaíomar ag troid. Chaith muid uisce agus rudaí as an loch ar a chéile. Bhíomar fliuch báite!

Chuamar go dtí an portach ina dhiaidh sin. Bhí sceitimíní ar gach duine faoin léim phortaigh. Nuair a shroicheamar ann, rith gach duine chuig an bportach agus léimeamar isteach. Bhí am iontach ag gach duine agus bhí an t-atmaisféar go hiontach. Bhí gach duine ag gáire agus ag magadh. Bhí sé deacair siúl sa phortach, agus má léimeá isteach go díreach, rachfá go tóin poill agus bheadh sé an-deacair teacht amach. Bhíomar an-salach ina dhiaidh sin.

Chuamar ar an mbus ar ais go Ráth Chairn agus shroicheamar na tithe. Chuireamar ár málaí isteach sa teach agus fuaireamar ár seomraí. D’itheamar dinnéar ina dhiaidh sin agus chuamar ar an mbus go dtí Coláiste na bhFiann, áit a bhfuaireamar ceoldráma "Mamma Mia" as Gaeilge. Bhí sé ar fheabhas agus bhíomar ag bualadh bos leis na hamhráin.

Ina dhiaidh sin, chuamar go dtí Coláiste Pobail Ráth Chairn agus d’imríomar Láthair an Áir agus peil Ghaelach le chéile. Fuaireamar an bus ar ais go dtí na tithe ina dhiaidh sin. D’itheamar tae agus ansin chuamar a luí.

Dé hAoine

Ar an Aoine, dhúisíomar go luath ar maidin agus d’itheamar bricfeasta. Ghlanamar ár seomra agus dúramar slán leis an teaghlach sa teach. Chuamar go dtí Coláiste na bhFiann don uair dheireanach agus bhuaileamar le cat beag — chuir cúpla duine an t-ainm “Bossman” air.

Fuaireamar an bus go dtí Caisleán Thruim agus bhí sé an-álainn. D'fhoghlaimeamar faoi stair an chaisleáin agus bhí sé an-suimiúil. D’fhéachamar ar mhacasamhlacha beaga den chaisleán i rith na mblianta agus na hathruithe a tharla ó bhliain go bliain. Ghlacamar cúpla grianghraf freisin nuair a chuamar ar an díon. Bhí sé go hiontach.

Ina dhiaidh sin, chuamar ar an mbus abhaile ach roimhe sin, stadamar ag stáisiún peitril chun cúpla rud a cheannach. Shroicheamar Baile Átha Cliath cúpla nóiméad níos déanaí agus chuamar abhaile.

Cheap mé gur turas iontach a bhí ann agus má bheidh an deis agam, rachaidh mé ar ais ann amach anseo.

Go raibh míle maith agat as m’alt a léamh!

Dáil Éireann & Áras an Uachtaráin

By Alex Farrell

Áras an Uachtaráin

On April 7th 2025, my class 3.2 were invited to Áras an Uachtaráin for a chance to have a tour of the President's home. We travelled by private coach to the phoenix park before going through a security gate and arriving at the Áras an Uachtaráin. We received a very friendly welcome from all the people in the Áras with snacks and drinks. We were then brought around for a tour of the President's home. We saw lots of amazing and interesting artwork and memorials of the past Presidents of Ireland! 

I really enjoyed learning about the history of the Áras. We were shown rooms that held meetings with many important people over the years and lots of gifts the Áras has received over the years. So many famous people such as Presidents and celebrities from all over the world have visited for meetings and dining! After we had finished our tour of the inside we were delighted to hear that we had the chance to meet the President's wife Sabina Coyne! She greeted us very warmly and spoke to us about what goes on inside the Áras daily. We then got the chance to take a class photograph with Sabina before she left. 

Once Sabina had left we went outside the Áras to walk around the gardens and admire the house from the outside. We were also shown how lots of famous people like John F Kennedy, Barack Obama, Queen Elizabeth II and many more followed the tradition of each planting a tree around the gardens of the Áras an Uachtaráin. Overall I enjoyed my trip to Áras an Uachtaráin and had a great time with my class. Thanks to my teacher Ms.Holland for organising this trip!

Dáil Éireann

On May 1st, our 3rd Year class, 3.2, went on a school trip to the Leinster House in Dublin. This is where the Irish government meets to talk about and make important decisions for the country.

We started off by going through a security check before being warmly greeted by our guide for the trip. We then headed for the Dail with our guide who gave us a tour of the area and explained the Dáil and Seanad's operations. We discovered what TDs and Senators do and how laws are made.

Being able to observe a real Dáil session from the public gallery was  definitely the highlight of the trip in my opinion. It was really enjoyable and interesting to be able to watch all the TD’s debating about issues and queries that need resolving. A few senators were seen asking questions and speaking. The (at the time) Minister for Further and Higher Education, Simon Harris, also responded to questions from other TDs regarding how he and his party, Fine Gael, would manage our nation. Seeing how the government functions in practice was incredibly fascinating.

Once we were finished watching in the Dáil we headed over to the Seanad Éireann to watch the Seanad discussing smaller issues and queries within the parliament.They even took a break to welcome us all to Seanad Éireann!

We then discussed how people can become involved in politics and asked the guide some questions which I found very interesting. We were also shown some amazing artwork and historical objects that are kept in the Leinster House!

Overall, it was a great trip. We learned a lot and had fun seeing how the country is run. Thanks to Ms Holland for taking us on this amazing trip!        

This is about 2D’s History trip and what we learned.

To start the day Mr Bradley met us at reception right before the school bell went. At the start of first class we went to the bus stop outside the school and we waited for the bus. The bus finally arrived and we went upstairs and we were on our way into town for our first visit, The Jeanie Johnston. When we arrived we had to walk around 10 to 15 minutes until we met with the tour guide who brought us on to Jeanie Johnston. Our guide let us walk around for about 5 minutes to see what it looked like. Then we were all called back to the middle of the ship and she told us how the Jeanie Johnston we were on was a perfectly made replica of the original Jeanie Johnston

The tour guide talked  about the Jeanie Johnston and the life of the crewmates upstairs, she let us ask a few questions about the ship e.g how it was made. After this she brought us downstairs to see what the passengers' lives were like on the ship. What caught mine and Adam's attention was the fact that not a single passenger died on this ship, and how they were generous enough to let 5 people every voyage travel free.  They also tried not to let the number onboard exceed over 200 passengers  so disease wouldn’t spread fast.

There were sculptures made of the passengers and of the beds,tables etc. The bunk beds would hold up to five people in each bed, the food was very bad but better than what they had before coming on the ship. Most  Famine ships didn't have a doctor on board but this one did, his name was Richard Blennerhasset and he was a fully qualified doctor and the passengers were blessed to have a doctor like this on board.

The crew were generous enough to let a pregnant woman on their ship. Everyone expected this baby to die on this ship, and the birth process was not easy due to the rockiness of the ship, the waves and the limited amount of space and food. It was in fact a miracle and this baby was born safely and healthy and went on to live a full life. The mother gave the baby 19 names after all of those who were on board the ship's crew but he just called himself his normal name Nicholas Reilly. When their son grew up, he left the farm for Fergus Falls in Minnesota. Here, he worked as a barman in O’Brien’s Saloon and met his wife. Together, they settled down in Minneapolis and opened a successful liquor store.

After this tour we went to the Epic museum and we arrived quite  soon as it was located just across the road. We didn't have a tour guide this time, there were around 13 rooms containing all of Irish history in sports, famines, emigration and wars. This was really cool as you get to have a close up view about Irish Culture and that it is really engaging.

Thanks to Mr Bradley  for setting this up and bringing us here.

By Sam Malone and Adam Mannion.